How to Scrape Apollo.io for Free Without an API

Central Theme

The video addresses the problem of Apollo.io’s recent API changes, which have disabled many third-party scraping tools. It presents a free, alternative method to scrape targeted lead lists from Apollo without using its API, ensuring the method remains viable even with future API updates.

Key Process & Arguments

The core of the video is a step-by-step guide on using a free tool on the Apify platform to extract leads from Apollo.io. The method circumvents the need for an official API key by using your browser’s session cookies.

The process involves:

  • Targeting on Apollo: First, create your desired lead list within Apollo.io as you normally would.
  • Using the Apify Scraper:
    1. Sign up for a free trial on Apify.com and find the appropriate lead scraper. The video notes you can create new accounts every 48 hours to continue using it for free.
    2. Copy your search results URL from Apollo and paste it into the scraper’s input field.
    3. Ensure the option to retrieve emails is enabled.
  • Extracting Cookies:
    1. Install the “Cookie Editor” Chrome extension.
    2. On your Apollo tab, use the extension to export your session cookies in JSON format.
    3. Paste the exported cookie data into the designated field in the Apify scraper.
  • Running the Scraper: Configure the settings (number of leads to scrape, wait times), save, and run the tool. The results can then be downloaded as a CSV file.

Conclusion & Takeaway

The primary takeaway is that it’s still possible to scrape leads from Apollo.io for free, despite their recent API lockdown. By using the Apify scraper combined with a cookie export method, users can bypass API restrictions and avoid paying for leads. The presenter claims this method has been highly effective, leading to significant revenue and sales calls for their clients when paired with a strong cold email strategy.

Mentoring Question

Now that you have a method to acquire a large volume of leads for free, how will you ensure your outreach strategy is personalized and effective enough to convert them, rather than just sending generic spam?

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=2OJzjgoV9mo&si=pVoOBzUvqUB2GKMe

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